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What
you need to know about testosterone therapy

Many men experience declining
sex drive as they age — and physiology is a factor. Testosterone, the hormone
that boosts sexual desire, sperm production, bone density, and muscle mass,
peaks at about age 30.

Some symptoms of low testosterone include fatigue and exhaustion, decrease in muscle mass, weight gain, changes in sleep patterns, depression, and hair loss.

Men might experience less
interest in sex as the level declines, or not be able to sexually perform as
well as they would like. A dip in sexual interest can cause depression and
could damage important intimate relationships. It’s natural to want to do
something about it.

Take a look at the research
if you’re wondering if using testosterone therapy can help improve your sex drive.

What
exactly is testosterone and what does it do?

Testosterone and estrogen are
the main sex hormones. Both men and women produce testosterone, but men make
more. Women produce more estrogen than men.

Sexual excitement is caused
in part by a rise in testosterone, though other factors contribute. Testosterone
levels rise and fall throughout the day. Some men notice they are more
excitable when testosterone is high, which is usually in the mornings.

Testosterone levels also
fluctuate over your lifespan and start to decline after age 30. This could mean
a man has less interest in sex later in life, and possibly less firm erections
as well as softer muscle tone.

Other
causes of low sex drive

While low testosterone is a
common cause of low sex drive in men, there are a variety of other possible causes.

Psychological causes can
contribute or cause low libido in men. These include anxiety, depression,
stress, or relationship problems.

In addition to low
testosterone, there are a variety of other physical causes that can result in a
decreased sex drive. Some of these physical causes include:

taking medications such as
opiates, beta-blockers, or antidepressants

being overweight

having a chronic illness

Your doctor can help you
determine what’s causing your low libido. And they may recommend counseling if
they believe psychological factors are contributing to it.

When are testosterone supplements a good idea?

According to the Mayo Clinic, testosterone therapy can help treat hypogonadism. This
condition occurs when the body can’t produce enough testosterone on its own.
However, it’s unclear whether supplements can help. A study published in Nature Reviews Endocrinology found no scientific reason to prescribe testosterone to men
over 65 years of age with normal or low to normal testosterone levels.

Heart
and prostate risks

In fact, testosterone
supplements might cause more problems than they solve. Studies have suggested a
connection between supplements and heart problems. A 2010 study reported in The New England Journal
of Medicine showed that some men over age
65 had an increase in heart problems when they used testosterone gel. A later study of men younger than 65 at risk for heart problems and
heart-healthy older men showed that both groups had a greater risk of heart
attack when taking testosterone supplements.

A 2014 study in rats concluded testosterone supplementation was a “strong tumor
promoter for the rat prostate.”
Human studies are needed.

Review
the side effects

Like other supplements and
medication, testosterone therapy comes with risks and possible side effects.
This is particularly true if you try to take it for normal aging rather than
for treatment of a condition. Also, the Cleveland Clinic points out that the effects that these supplements may have on
your heart and prostate can lead to a number of potential issues. Complications
include:

sleep apnea

acne flares

enlarged breasts

testicular shrinkage

Natural remedies for increasing testosterone

Testosterone therapy isn’t
for everyone, and there are natural remedies available that you can try. You can also try the following:

Get enough zinc, which one study
has found to be essential in regulating serum testosterone levels in men. Zinc
can be added to the diet with more whole grains and shellfish, or through
supplements.

Get enough potassium, which aids in testosterone synthesis. Potassium can be found
in foods like bananas, beets, and spinach.

Get more exercise, which naturally increases testosterone.

Reduce the amount of sugar you consume.

Get more sleep.

Reduce the stress in your life or learn stress management techniques.

Talk
about your sex drive with your doctor and your partner

There can be many reasons for
a decrease in sex drive, for both men and women. Decreasing testosterone levels
could be the source for men, but so could life stresses or relationship
problems.

Testosterone supplements
likely will boost sex drive in cases of very low testosterone and hypogonadism,
but research suggests that’s about it.

Ask a doctor for testosterone
testing to determine if supplementation will help.